Pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel didn't hesitate to help an ailing colleague. (Provided by the Aspen Music Festival)

It’s nice to have a surplus of world-class talent. That became clear at the Aspen Music Festival and School today (July 13), when the famed pianist Jean Yves-Thibaudet was forced to cancel a recital because of back pain.

Usually such a late cancellation would mean postponing the concert, but not in Aspen. With just several hours notice, pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel, both members of the festival’s artist-faculty, agreed to step in and save the day.